Under Full Sequestration, Army Could Cut Additional 6,000 Civilian Jobs on Top of Initial 17,000

July 31, 2015

Contractors are about to have a field day as the latest analysis shows the Army, under full sequestration, will have to cut an additional 6,000 civilian positions on top of the 17,000 earlier reported.

These cuts, scheduled to take place by the end of 2019, will undoubtedly increase contracting out as the workload will likely stay the same because of the growing military threats around the world. Contractors are two to three times more expensive than federal employees.

Active duty troops are being cut as well. Under full sequestration, the Army would cut an additional 30,000 soldiers on top the 40,000 earlier reported, bringing the end-strength to 420,000 by the end of 2019. The Army is the largest military branch out of the 1.3 million active duty military personnel, representing 38% of all troops. The Army chief has said that the nation will not be able to meet its mission if we fall under 980,000 total uniformed soldiers.

Sequestration is extremely demoralizing to soldiers and civilian employees alike because it undermines readiness and creates uncertainty about their jobs and equipment. These across-the-board cuts are hurting defense, destroying jobs, and hurting local economies, especially those surrounding military bases. AFGE is urging Congress to immediately repeal sequestration for all agencies.